Nord User Forum

[JackD]

That's why the in my first reply, based on how you described your use case, was that you should rather look at the Aux KB option, which is designed for what you are asking and has per Program settings on which layers to assign to external Aux KB and which to leave to NS4.

You can still pilot per Layer on individual channels also, if you don't touch the NS4 and treat it as an expander (but that's not your case, right?).

MMM yess and not.
Because with the Aux Kb option, you have one Aux Kb panel basically, to which you can assign one or more layers, and then the Aux Kb will be assigned to 1 MIDI channel only. So I would not be able to control it with 3 different keyboards (and assigns sound to each one)
Instead with the Layer MIDI option I was expecting to be able to control each sound from a different Midi Channel, still being able to use the internal keyboard for other instruments. Using the Nord stage as a Sound Module basically.

None of these 2 options look to be the one I would need

EDIT:

This is an interesting question. I'd expect that you can assign a layer (the externally controlled ones) to NO keyboard zone (split section) even if it's on. But that's not for sure -- it would be what you'd need for taking advantage of the layer MIDI function together with the internal keyboard.

Yes this is what I would need!

[maxpiano]

This is an interesting question. I'd expect that you can assign a layer (the externally controlled ones) to NO keyboard zone (split section) even if it's on. But that's not for sure -- it would be what you'd need for taking advantage of the layer MIDI function together with the internal keyboard.

You have a point here, I edited my previous post, but on NS2 this possibility was explicit, on NS4 is not mentioned so... open question, yes.

@JackD: maybe assigning to AuxKB still leaves the individual layer receiving MIDI Channel active or Layers always respond to MIDI also if inactive on NS4, even if this is not explicitly mentioned on the manual, but it is a possibility... we need a NS4 user to test that though so (yes) I was wrong, now I understand better what you meant and this is not a trivial question (and not clear from manual).

[FZiegler]

I'm quite confident you don't want that setting you are searching for for live use, do you? The way I use a Stage on stage
a) wouldn't be by surrounding it by a number of controller keyboards;
b) wouldn't be the same for each program. Of course, the organ engines on a waterfall keyboard, but the piano or synth engines not always on the same keyboard.

So, like maxpiano, I'd first look into Aux KB.

[JackD]

This is an interesting question. I'd expect that you can assign a layer (the externally controlled ones) to NO keyboard zone (split section) even if it's on. But that's not for sure -- it would be what you'd need for taking advantage of the layer MIDI function together with the internal keyboard.

You have a point here, I edited my previous post, but on NS2 this possibility was explicit, on NS4 is not mentioned so... open question, yes.

@JackD: maybe assigning to AuxKB still leaves the individual layer receiving MIDI Channel active, even if this is not mentioned on the manual, we need a NS4 user to test that though so (yes) I was wrong, this is not a trivial question and not clear.

Yea should be tested, and it is a very important point for some.
For me at least, as I would be able to use a midi sequencer to pilot some layers, being able to still use the internal keyboard

[maxpiano]

This is an interesting question. I'd expect that you can assign a layer (the externally controlled ones) to NO keyboard zone (split section) even if it's on. But that's not for sure -- it would be what you'd need for taking advantage of the layer MIDI function together with the internal keyboard.

You have a point here, I edited my previous post, but on NS2 this possibility was explicit, on NS4 is not mentioned so... open question, yes.

@JackD: maybe assigning to AuxKB still leaves the individual layer receiving MIDI Channel active, even if this is not mentioned on the manual, we need a NS4 user to test that though so (yes) I was wrong, this is not a trivial question and not clear.

Yea should be tested, and it is a very important point for some.
For me at least, as I would be able to use a midi sequencer to pilot some layers, being able to still use the internal keyboard

Well I see also another way/idea... NS4 in Local OFF then using some MIDI Routing app to decide which layer to redirect the NS4 MIDI OUT data (and which data, using filtering) to?

[JackD]

Ok in this way... I would be able to:
Send midi out using the internal keyboard to a sequencer and redirect this midi out to. midi channel (IN) assigned to a layer, right?
This looks pretty good idea

[JackD]

Ok in this way... I would be able to:
Send midi out using the internal keyboard to a sequencer and redirect this midi out to. midi channel (IN) assigned to a layer, right?
This looks pretty good idea

I just tried to use Local Control OFF on my NS3 but I'm no getting the result expected as it also disable the control on the sound you are playing in this moment (for instance I was not able to modify TIMBRE to SOFT).
Looks similar to what I need but with a big lack...

[maxpiano]

Ok in this way... I would be able to:
Send midi out using the internal keyboard to a sequencer and redirect this midi out to. midi channel (IN) assigned to a layer, right?
This looks pretty good idea

I just tried to use Local Control OFF on my NS3 but I'm no getting the result expected as it also disable the control on the sound you are playing in this moment (for instance I was not able to modify TIMBRE to SOFT).
Looks similar to what I need but with a big lack...

Controls that have a MIDI CC should still send on the Global Channel (check you have CC Send/receive enabled on NS3 MIDI Menu) so in the DAW you need to redirect all the MIDI flow from that channel back to the NS3.

[JackD]

Controls that have a MIDI CC should already send on the Global Channel (check you have CC Send/receive enabled on NS3 MIDI Menu) so in the DAW you need to redirect all the MIDI flow from that channel back to the NS3.

Yea it is working pretty well with NS3!
Then in theory should work also with Layers and NS4!
Alla grande, grazie Max!

[Satomy]

Hi, I've been a happy owner of Nord Stage 4 for a few days. I write because I have a problem with using the NS4 with an external keyboard. I have been a Nord user for many years and have often used my ns2 ex and then the ns3 midi hooked up with an external midi keyboard and using dual KB mode. I tried with my new NS4 but I think something is wrong, some controllers don't work as they should. Example: if I only use layer c of the synth section, therefore with the aux Kb function and try to control the volume of layer C with the external midi master, the midi cc also acts on the other layers A and B, why? Is there something wrong with the settings? Another example: organ section, some controls such as perussion on/off, vibrato on/off, drawbars don't respond if driven by the external master midi, the slow/fast rotary does, where am I wrong? if indeed, by making a few attempts, I manage to get these controls to work, but the sound is not heard. where am i wrong? is this a problem that needs to be fixed? If not, could you help me solve this problem?